Table of contents
- Fake shopping websites are becoming more prevalent, and 17% of harmful files are disseminated through email, with 4% relating to fraudulent shipping tracking emails.
- Avoid falling victim to this year's Black Friday email scams, especially those from Top Brands, and always check for the padlock symbol to confirm the legitimacy of a website.
- Before, Black Friday offers were exclusively available to Americans, but now even Indians can easily and quickly get their hands on the best deals in the US.
Black Friday deals are frequently a big deal in India and the United States since many firms offer comparable sales. However, these significant occasions also carry a risk of fraudulent emails offering bargains and discounts.
According to a report by cybersecurity firm Check Point Research (CPR) (1), this time of year sees an increase in fake shopping and websites. It states that 17% of malicious files distributed via email in November were related to shipping, and 4% of all new websites were related to malicious shipping tracking details.
The research also outlined certain precautions people should take to stay safe when buying online this holiday season, claiming that one of every six shipping-related emails received in November will be harmful.
Here's how to recognize a malicious email and avoid opening one:
1. Emails from Top Brands
In a report by CPR, cybercriminals claim to represent prestigious brands like Gucci (2) and others and use subject lines like "Black Friday Sale." Initially, $100.
The prices will captivate you. The user will be redirected to a malicious website after clicking on one of these banners, which may also look authentic.
Similar to how they send emails under the DHL name (3), they also send emails with the subject "SHIPMENT TRACKING" and typically originate from email addresses like "support@consultingmanagementprofessionalsdotcom."
When you click on the links in these emails, including information like the package number and delivery ID, they can steal your credit card information and personal information.
2. Always look at the URL and search for the padlock symbol
When shopping online, users must also ensure that the website is legitimate. One easy method to accomplish this is to check the URL, which includes both the website's and its offer.
Search for the padlock icon at the start of the website address. A padlock at the start of the URL of an HTTPS-encrypted website denotes that it is a legitimate website and not a fraud.
How to acquire US Black Friday deals in India
Before a few years ago, most Black Friday discounts were only available to customers in the US. However, this is no longer the case, as customers in India can now purchase items during the sale and have them delivered right to their doorsteps in India.
As part of the Black Friday Sale, businesses like Croma, H&M, and others also offer offers and discounts in India; however, these reductions are not as good as those in the US (4). There are many ways to obtain Black Friday offers from the US in India; however, the best option is:
Black Friday Sale items are listed on the Amazon US website (5), meaning that consumers in India can place direct orders from their country and have the items delivered to their door. Users can now directly access top-brand discounts from the US and get them delivered to their front door.
